Hit and run accidents are devastatingly common in Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. According to the California Highway Patrol, Los Angeles County records more hit and run accidents than any other county in the state. In Van Nuys alone — which contains some of the most dangerous intersections in the city — hit and run incidents occur with alarming regularity.

If you were just hit by a driver who fled the scene, the next few hours are critical. The actions you take immediately after a hit and run directly determine whether you can recover compensation for your injuries, vehicle damage, and lost wages.

Step 1: Stay at the Scene and Call 911

Do not chase the fleeing driver. Stay at the scene, move to a safe location if possible, and call 911 immediately. A police report is essential for a hit and run insurance claim. In Los Angeles, LAPD officers — from the Van Nuys Division, Devonshire Division, or West Valley Division depending on your location in the San Fernando Valley — will respond and document the accident.

When the officer arrives, provide as much information as possible about the fleeing vehicle: make, model, color, partial or full license plate number, direction of travel, and any description of the driver you observed.

Step 2: Document Everything You Can

While waiting for police, document the scene as thoroughly as possible:

  • Photograph your vehicle damage from multiple angles
  • Photograph the road, skid marks, debris, and any paint transfer left by the other vehicle
  • Get the names and contact information of any witnesses — eyewitness accounts are critical in hit and run cases
  • Note the exact location, time, and any nearby security cameras or businesses that may have footage
  • Check for dashcam footage from your own vehicle or nearby vehicles

Step 3: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Even if you feel fine, go to an emergency room or urgent care facility the same day. Many serious injuries — including whiplash, concussions, and internal injuries — do not produce immediate symptoms. Delayed medical care creates gaps in your record that insurance companies use to minimize or deny your claim. In hit and run cases where you are pursuing your own insurance, documented medical treatment from the date of the accident is especially important.

Step 4: Report the Accident to Your Own Insurance Company

In a hit and run case where the at-fault driver is unknown or uninsured, your own Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage is typically your primary source of compensation. You must report the accident to your insurer promptly — most policies require reporting within a reasonable time, and some have specific deadlines.

Important: Before you speak to your own insurance adjuster in detail, contact a personal injury attorney. Even your own insurance company will try to minimize your payout on a UM claim. They are not on your side in a UM dispute.

Step 5: Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

Hit and run cases have unique legal complexities — identifying the fleeing driver if possible, navigating UM coverage disputes, and in some cases pursuing third-party claims if the accident involved a defective traffic signal or dangerous road condition. An experienced attorney handles all of this while you focus on recovery.

What If the Hit and Run Driver Is Identified Later?

LAPD and the California Highway Patrol continue investigating hit and run accidents for months, particularly when injuries are involved. If the driver is later identified, your claim converts to a standard at-fault liability claim against their insurer. In serious injury cases, your attorney may also pursue a civil lawsuit against the driver directly.

California law makes it a felony to flee the scene of an accident involving injury, which means hit and run drivers face both criminal charges and civil liability. A criminal conviction significantly strengthens your civil claim.

At Girgis Law Firm, APC, attorney Anthony Girgis represents hit and run accident victims throughout the San Fernando Valley, including Encino, Van Nuys, Sherman Oaks, Northridge, and surrounding communities. He handles all cases on a contingency fee basis and is available 24/7 for accident victims who need immediate guidance.

Injured in a car accident in the San Fernando Valley? Contact Girgis Law Firm, APC for a free consultation. Attorney Anthony Girgis represents accident victims throughout Encino, Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, Northridge, Woodland Hills, and surrounding communities. Call (818) 986-5000 — no fees unless we win.